Bantry Hospital Cuts - Have your say the easy way!

[MickRegan]

Just a quick one guys - new online email campaign at http://www.westcorktoday.co m.

Have your say about the proposed cuts at Bantry Hospital direct to the HSE, Department of Health, and Professor Brendan Drumm. (Its easy and only takes a min).

If we don't do all we can now, we can't complain afterwards!

[Actin The Sham]

Just a quick one guys - new online email campaign at http://www.westcorktoday.co m.

Have your say about the proposed cuts at Bantry Hospital direct to the HSE, Department of Health, and Professor Brendan Drumm. (Its easy and only takes a min).

If we don't do all we can now, we can't complain afterwards!

I couldn't give a flying fawk about Bantry.

The way you describe the website as "westcorktodayW says it all.

Where is this mythical place "West Cork?"

T'would be more in ye're line to come up here and spend ye're money.

[dubdear]

actin the sham youre obviously lucky enough to be near enough to an acute hospital not to have to worry but I know a elderly lady who will have to travel 85 miles to cork if Bantry is downgraded,its a very real worry for us,so thank youre lucky stars you dont have to worry about that,and dont belittle the rest of us who care.

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

actin the sham youre obviously lucky enough to be near enough to an acute hospital not to have to worry but I know a elderly lady who will have to travel 85 miles to cork if Bantry is downgraded,its a very real worry for us,so thank youre lucky stars you dont have to worry about that,and dont belittle the rest of us who care.

He's only winding ya up - he is pure bog at heart is the shamster and at his age he needs to be as close to 'a cute' hospltal as he can get.

And anyway, if that is anyone's attitude, what would stop a similar step to centralise some health services in Dublin altogether? In for a penny, in for a pound.

[Saucyjack]

Is there any petition where I can sign my support for these cuts ?

Billion's of pounds / Euros being invested in the C.U.H. as a state of the art Hospital.

[Actin The Sham]

An acute hospital on every fucking peninsula?

Fuck off.

[Saucyjack]

Just quit eating full fat butter on everything and falling off your tractor / trawler whislt banjoed on local moonshine !

Stay healthy.

[Actin The Sham]

actin the sham youre obviously lucky enough to be near enough to an acute hospital not to have to worry but I know a elderly lady who will have to travel 85 miles to cork if Bantry is downgraded,its a very real worry for us,so thank youre lucky stars you dont have to worry about that,and dont belittle the rest of us who care.

1. Define "acute hospital."


2. Define "near enough."


3. I'm not belittling you, and I do care. Which is why we need to concentrate resources in major hospitals so that we can deliver a better service to all 480,000 Cork people. Why should a small minority of people in a far flung area have their own dedicated hospital when people from the major urban area, Cork city, have to queue for hours and hours at CUH?

We can't afford what you are looking for. Bantry Hospital should be downgraded to a Triage station, and the money saved should be concentrated on improving the services of CUH for all Cork people, and not just a select few from the perimeter of the county. People in Capestang in France for example, need to travel 150 km to Montpellier for acute treatment. Why should people in Bantry irrespective of their age be treated any differently?

People in Cork have to travel 225 km to Dublin for some orthopaedic services at the moment because there is no money to invest in CUH, because the money is being spent on providing "acute" services to selfish vocal minorities like you.

We are all in the same boat, we need to prioritise and concentrate our services where they are most effective.

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

tis obvious ATS lives 3/4 mins from one particluar hospital rather than the 2/3 hours if he was the offspring of Beara people.

[Peggy's Leg]

1. Define "acute hospital."


2. Define "near enough."



Perfect.

[Actin The Sham]

tis obvious ATS lives 3/4 mins from one particluar hospital rather than the 2/3 hours if he was the offspring of Beara people.

Have an A&E department in Bantry, and have all other acute services in CUH.

And if people in Beara have a problem with that, then club together and raise the money locally to buy whatever it is they want.

Or else launch a petition and ask people in Cork city who will suffer under your proposals to support you.

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

1. Define "acute hospital."


2. Define "near enough."




In fairness tho:

1. CUH

2. 3/4 mins considering that you live in Glasheen.

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

Have an A&E department in Bantry, and have all other acute services in CUH.

And if people in Beara have a problem with that, then club together and raise the money locally to buy whatever it is they want.

Or else launch a petition and ask people in Cork city who will suffer under your proposals to support you.

tis obvious that you dont have to travel to a hosplital for life saving treatment on a regular basis.
Although maybe you do but considering that you live next door, then this travel will not be a further hardship to endure which you go through your treatments which as you may be aware will most probably not be a whole bunch of laughs to receive as it is.

Nobody want a CUH in Bantry - just maintenance of some key services.

[Actin The Sham]

In fairness tho:

1. CUH

2. 3/4 mins considering that you live in Glasheen.

And the disadvantages that go with living so near an acute hospital: increased house prices caused by speculators buying family homes and renting them to hospital workers, (nurses, trainee doctors, porters, pathology staff), extra traffic caused by visitors, patients, staff, and so on abandoning their cars in residential streets surrounding the hospital in an effort to avoid paying the car parking charges, late night house parties in aforementioned rented houses, sirens screaming at all hours of the night, etc, etc, etc.

But I'm not complaining; I appreciate that living in a democracy means that people need to compromise.

And we can't have everything on our doorstep.

A state of the art A&E centre in Bantry is all that should be required. Other services should be concentrated in CUH where they are needed and where they will be more efficient.

[Actin The Sham]

tis obvious that you dont have to travel to a hosplital for life saving treatment on a regular basis.
Although maybe you do but considering that you live next door, then this travel will not be a further hardship to endure which you go through your treatments which as you may be aware will most probably not be a whole bunch of laughs to receive as it is.

Nobody want a CUH in Bantry - just maintenance of some key services.

Would these services involve the imminent introduction, this summer, of Plastic Surgery Out-patients, Day Surgery Services and the re-establishment of an Orthopaedic Outpatient Service in Bantry?

It is just beds that are going to be reduced. You don't need to stay overnight in Bantry. A& E will be maintained at Bantry, and other services would be also provided by visiting consultants from Cork University Hospital, Mercy University Hospital and Kerry General Hospital.

These services include Out-patient and Day Surgery services (via Surgical Department at Kerry General Hospital, Gynaecological Day Surgery from CUMH, Obstetric service, Urology, Dermatology (skin), Orthoptic (eye) service, Paediatric (children) service, Palliative Care and Consultant-led Haematology service with a sessional commitment to Bantry General Hospital.

The only things that will change will be planned surgical procedures which will be concentrated in CUH.

Out patient and day surgical procedures will be maintained locally. What exactly do you want? A mini CUH in Bantry?

Perhaps you could explain exactly what it is you are looking for?

[jd26]

A state of the art A&E centre in Bantry is all that should be required. Other services should be concentrated in CUH where they are needed and where they will be more efficient.

In a sense you're right, except that I'd add recuperative facilities and facilities for doing very common surgical procedures.

However, that's all predicated on it being easy to get from Bantry to CUH. And it isn't. For many patients driving themselves isn't an option and they can't necessarily find someone else to do it. The bus service is a joke - and that's to Bantry, imagine if you live in Castletownbere or Durrus.

Centralization of hospital services is dependent on a vastly improved transport network. At the moment, the cart is being put before the horse.

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

What exactly do you want? A mini CUH in Bantry?

Perhaps you could explain exactly what it is you are looking for?

No. I have said that that is not what they are looking for. Im looking for retention of current services, whatever they may be. I have family in the region and a number of them will be required to travel to Cork for minor treatments incl sometimes via ambulance so im not sure of the saving to be made in reality.

A key point here is the degradion of some services now will follow with further cuts later to a point where the viability of having the actual insitution at all will be called into question.

[Actin The Sham]

No. I have said that that is not what they are looking for. Im looking for retention of current services, whatever they may be. I have family in the region and a number of them will be required to travel to Cork for minor treatments incl sometimes via ambulance so im not sure of the saving to be made in reality.

A key point here is the degradion of some services now will follow with further cuts later to a point where the viability of having the actual insitution at all will be called into question.


I have already listed all of the "minor treatments" which will be continued at Bantry. Perhaps you could clarify exactly what "minor treatments" your relatives will be required to travel to CUH for?


Maybe you should research the issue a little more. The hospital will be reduced from 31 beds to 8.

Most treatments will be done on a day basis. Any critical scheduled procedures will be performed at CUH. A&E services will continue to be offered at Bantry.

The reality is that in a sparsely populated rural area visiting consultants will provide most essential treatments. For emergencies there will be a fully staffed trauma unit. For scheduled major treatments a visit to CUH will be required.

I fail to see your problem with this. The Bantry lobby group are lobbying for a mini CUH to be located in Bantry. This is simply not possible with current modern medical treatment. I have some experience in this area, and have some idea of the issues involved. Modern surgical units are extremely expensive and need to be located where they will deliver maximum value.

[Actin The Sham]

In a sense you're right, except that I'd add recuperative facilities and facilities for doing very common surgical procedures.

However, that's all predicated on it being easy to get from Bantry to CUH. And it isn't. For many patients driving themselves isn't an option and they can't necessarily find someone else to do it. The bus service is a joke - and that's to Bantry, imagine if you live in Castletownbere or Durrus.

Centralization of hospital services is dependent on a vastly improved transport network. At the moment, the cart is being put before the horse.

I have clearly outlined the list of services which will be continued to be offered at Bantry. The problem here is that local people are objecting to the reduction in bed numbers. There are loads of beds in St. Stephens hospital in Sarsfields Court. Is that a better hospital then Bantry?

Misguided people who associate numbers of beds with the capability of a hospital to offer services to people living in its catchment area are the reason we ended up with such a fragmented health service in the first place.

Modern surgical procedures are predicated on keeping people out of hospital as much as possible, in order to avoid MRSA and other health issues.

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

I have already listed all of the "minor treatments" which will be continued at Bantry. Perhaps you could clarify exactly what "minor treatments" your relatives will be required to travel to CUH for?
Cut finger etc.

Maybe you should research the issue a little more. The hospital will be reduced from 31 beds to 8.

Most treatments will be done on a day basis. Any critical scheduled procedures will be performed at CUH. A&E services will continue to be offered at Bantry.

The reality is that in a sparsely populated rural area visiting consultants will provide most essential treatments. For emergencies there will be a fully staffed trauma unit. For scheduled major treatments a visit to CUH will be required.

I fail to see your problem with this. The Bantry lobby group are lobbying for a mini CUH to be located in Bantry. This is simply not possible with current modern medical treatment. I have some experience in this area, and have some idea of the issues involved. Modern surgical units are extremely expensive and need to be located where they will deliver maximum value.

Spoken like a true civil servant (or potentially a consultant to the CS).

Im not sure you are representing the true story here but rather one side. Have you a source for the info because as far as i know the campaign is not to upgrade the hospital to a 'mini CUH' sa you put it but to retain minor surgical procedures etc?

Maybe also comment on your long term vision of the hospital and whether it will be the next North Infirmiry or turned into a home for geriatrics.

[Actin The Sham]

Spoken like a true civil servant (or potentially a consultant to the CS).

Im not sure you are representing the true story here but rather one side. Have you a source for the info because as far as i know the campaign is not to upgrade the hospital to a 'mini CUH' sa you put it but to retain minor surgical procedures etc?

Maybe also comment on your long term vision of the hospital and whether it will be the next North Infirmiry or turned into a home for geriatrics.


Please don't misquote me.

I never said "Cut finger."

Ongoing discussions are continuing between local groups, the hospital executive board and Professor John Higgins of CUH who has been charged with reconfiguring the health services in Cork and Kerry in order to deliver the best possible services to everyone in the region in an effort to get maximum value for the €1.4 Billion spent annually on health services in Cork and Kerry.


The teamwork report which is the report I presume you are referencing is just a discussion document at present and the final decisions will be made from a medical perspective by Professor Higgins.

Minor surgical procedures will continue to be provided at Bantry by visiting consultants.

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

Please don't misquote me.

I never said "Cut finger."

Ongoing discussions are continuing between local groups, the hospital executive board and Professor John Higgins of CUH who has been charged with reconfiguring the health services in Cork and Kerry in order to deliver the best possible services to everyone in the region in an effort to get maximum value for the €1.4 Billion spent annually on health services in Cork and Kerry.


The teamwork report which is the report I presume you are referencing is just a discussion document at present and the final decisions will be made from a medical perspective by Professor Higgins.

Minor surgical procedures will continue to be provided at Bantry by visiting consultants.

I didnt try to misquote you - i was answering your question in a deprecating and not greatly funny fashion. Sorry if it looked like i was attributing it to you.

[Actin The Sham]

I didnt try to misquote you - i was answering your question in a deprecating and not greatly funny fashion. Sorry if it looked like i was attributing it to you.

No probs.

At least you are able to debate the issue in fairness to you.

[MickRegan]

Jeez,

This thread has got a bit hot since last here.

Just to make it clear, if the existing 24 hour acute services at BGH is cut back and you have a heart attack or stroke, for example, you are facing up to 3 hours in the back of an ambulance before you get to a hospital.

I guess i'm not in the mood for joking when ultimately this could cost lives.

I also don't yet believe Ireland is a 3rd world country.

[Actin The Sham]

Jeez,

This thread has got a bit hot since last here.

Just to make it clear, if the existing 24 hour acute services at BGH is cut back and you have a heart attack or stroke, for example, you are facing up to 3 hours in the back of an ambulance before you get to a hospital.
I guess i'm not in the mood for joking when ultimately this could cost lives.

I also don't yet believe Ireland is a 3rd world country.

You're definitely in the mood for telling bare faced lies.

This is from the AA Ireland route planning site, which is based on sticking to speed limits, and driving within the law. As you are no doubt aware, an ambulance with blue lights flashing and it's siren wailing is allowed to exceed the speed limit and also break red lights etc.

Time: 1 hr 46 min
Total Distance (Km): 112.98


Travel (Km) and then
to take total (Km)
0.0 Start out at Bantry General Hospital,Cork Uncl. 0.0

0.0 Turn right Uncl. 0.0

0.1 Turn left Uncl. 0.2

0.1 Turn right onto Scart Road Uncl. 0.2

0.1 Turn left onto Blackrock Road Uncl. 0.4

0.3 Turn left onto Tower Street Uncl. 0.7

0.1 Turn left onto The Quay - N71 N71 0.8

0.9 Bantry House N71 1.7

15.5 Turn left onto the N71 (signposted Skibbereen) N71 17.2

14.2 Continue forward onto Schull Road - N71 Entering Sibbereen N71 31.4

0.5 At roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Ilen Street - N71 (signposted Cork) N71 31.9

0.9 At roundabout take the 1st exit onto the N71 (signposted Cork) N71 32.8

8.9 Continue forward onto the N71 Entering Leap N71 41.6

9.1 Bear left onto Coach Road - N71 Entering Rosscarbery N71 50.7

12.0 Continue forward onto the N71 Entering Clonakilty N71 62.7

2.2 At roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Convent Road - N71 N71 64.8

6.3 Continue forward onto the N71 Entering Ballinascarty N71 71.1

11.5 Bear left onto Clonakilty Road - N71 Entering Bandon N71 82.6

2.0 Turn right onto the R603 R603 84.7

0.4 Turn left Uncl. 85.1

0.5 Continue forward onto Meadowlands Uncl. 85.5

0.3 Continue forward onto Distillery Road Uncl. 85.9

0.9 At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Mill Road - N71 (signposted Cork) N71 86.8

6.1 Continue forward onto the N71 Entering Innishannon N71 92.8

8.1 At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the N71 (signposted Cork) N71 100.9

9.8 Continue forward onto Bandon Road - N71 Entering Cork N71 110.7

0.0 At roundabout take the 1st exit onto Bandon Road - N71 N71 110.8

0.1 At Bandon Road Roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Bishopstown Road - N71 (signposted Bishopstown) N71 110.9

1.4 Turn left Uncl. 112.3

0.0 Turn right Uncl. 112.3

0.4 Turn left Uncl. 112.7

0.2 Turn left Uncl. 112.9

0.0 Finish at Cork University Hospital,Cork Uncl. 112.9

(End Section)


I would imagine that an emergency ambulance would average 112 kph which would place Bantry Hospital one hour from CUH.

You are nothing more than a hypocritical parochial selfish liar.

To say nothing of the fact that there are no plans to withdraw A&E from Bantry Hospital. But the old "heart attack victim in the back of an ambulance" story will always pull at the heartstrings.


You are a liar. Tell the truth and allow your argument to stand and fall on the facts.


(Cue "I meant from Castletownbere, not from Bantry" response.)

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

In fairness ATS tho Bantry hospital does provide cover to all of the beara peninsula and that is a good hour away from Banrty even driving handily and this is the eventualities which need to be considered.

On the other hand the route provided by AA is the 3rd longest from Bantry to Cork but have no doubt going from Beara to cork city is 2.5hrs at a push for any ambulance.

[Actin The Sham]

In fairness ATS tho Bantry hospital does provide cover to all of the beara peninsula and that is a good hour away from Banrty even driving handily and this is the eventualities which need to be considered.

On the other hand the route provided by AA is the 3rd longest from Bantry to Cork but have no doubt going from Beara to cork city is 2.5hrs at a push for any ambulance.


But why would somebody from the beara peninsula go to Cork University Hospital, when there will be a perfectly good A&E unit at Bantry General Hospital?


Bantry general is being downgraded from 31 to 8 beds, but will retain a trauma unit and an A&E unit.

Elective surgery which cannot be carried out by visiting consultants on an outpatient day basis will have to be done in CUH, but that is all.



Don't believe the lies, that is what has gotten us into this situation. Look at the medical facts.

[jd26]

Bantry gave FF their highest vote in the country outside Offaly.

The people have spoken.

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

But why would somebody from the beara peninsula go to Cork University Hospital, when there will be a perfectly good A&E unit at Bantry General Hospital?


Bantry general is being downgraded from 31 to 8 beds, but will retain a trauma unit and an A&E unit.

Elective surgery which cannot be carried out by visiting consultants on an outpatient day basis will have to be done in CUH, but that is all.



Don't believe the lies, that is what has gotten us into this situation. Look at the medical facts.

I guess the fear is that the A+E services will go so if you are right and this is to be maintained then i cant see what the arguement is over.
Is it being kept?

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

Bantry gave FF their highest vote in the country outside Offaly.

The people have spoken.

True. I could not believe the FF return there when i consider my own domain of Cobh UDC and Midleton electorial area County Council.

[Actin The Sham]

I guess the fear is that the A+E services will go so if you are right and this is to be maintained then i cant see what the arguement is over.
Is it being kept?

Yes.

The issue is about elective surgery. A trauma unit and a&e unit will be retained.

[o_2_b_a_rebel]

Yes.

The issue is about elective surgery. A trauma unit and a&e unit will be retained.

Right. Cause i figured it had much to do with the loss of acute 24hr A+E cover.
Elective surgery is on thing. A+E another.

[dubdear]

Fact- The proposal is to cut the 24 hour A and E to 12 hr or less,this is my big crib,and I am insensed atthe insensitive poster who quoted the heart attack victim making the ambulance journey to cork,a close family member of mine suffered a heart attack while down in the beara peninsula,it took the ambulance 50 minutes to get to Bantry,where he got immediate attention,It was a harrowing time for us, if the 24 hr A/E wasnt there he may not have made it to Cork,fact from the attending doctor! I am gobsmacked at the begrudgerly of people who live within a mules screech of CUH.I hope they never are the position my family were in last year.All we want here is a retention of the services that are there,no more.

[Actin The Sham]

Fact- The proposal is to cut the 24 hour A and E to 12 hr or less,this is my big crib,and I am insensed atthe insensitive poster who quoted the heart attack victim making the ambulance journey to cork,a close family member of mine suffered a heart attack while down in the beara peninsula,it took the ambulance 50 minutes to get to Bantry,where he got immediate attention,It was a harrowing time for us, if the 24 hr A/E wasnt there he may not have made it to Cork,fact from the attending doctor! I am gobsmacked at the begrudgerly of people who live within a mules screech of CUH.I hope they never are the position my family were in last year.All we want here is a retention of the services that are there,no more.


There will be a 24 hour A&E there.

FACT.

[jd26]

Honestly, I reckon that for A&E we'd be better off with air ambulances anyway.

If you're in Goleen or Baltimore, even Skibbereen, you're in trouble regardless of Bantry being open or not. As for the offshore islands...

But if you have an air ambulance service, you can get critical cases to hospital a lot faster whether that hospital is in Cork or Bantry.

[Actin The Sham]

Honestly, I reckon that for A&E we'd be better off with air ambulances anyway.

If you're in Goleen or Baltimore, even Skibbereen, you're in trouble regardless of Bantry being open or not. As for the offshore islands...

But if you have an air ambulance service, you can get critical cases to hospital a lot faster whether that hospital is in Cork or Bantry.


Hopefully a fully fledged air ambulance will be in operation soon. The Air Corps provide an emergency air ambulance service at the moment but a voluntary body is also working towards raising sufficient funds to deploy one permanently in the region. Too bad the CUH built an extension over it's helipad, which now means that all airborne emergency traffic to CUH has to land at the airport and continue by road to the airport.

Apparently they are looking at rebuilding a helipad in the CUH grounds now.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0216/airambulance.html

[hiawatha]

Hopefully a fully fledged air ambulance will be in operation soon. The Air Corps provide an emergency air ambulance service at the moment but a voluntary body is also working towards raising sufficient funds to deploy one permanently in the region. Too bad the CUH built an extension over it's helipad, which now means that all airborne emergency traffic to CUH has to land at the airport and continue by road to the airport.

Apparently they are looking at rebuilding a helipad in the CUH grounds now.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0216/airambulance.html

I do love our long-term vision and planning in this great nation.

[Actin The Sham]

This just in:

There should be a single health system in Cork and Kerry where hospital and community services function as a single integrated health service.

That is according to a report by Horwath Consulting Ireland and Teamwork Management Services, published today (Tuesday, 9th June 2009) by the HSE in Cork and Kerry.

The Report maps out the direction for changing the health services in Cork and Kerry into the future in line with international best practice. It reaffirms the case for an integrated way of providing healthcare where patients can move in, through and out of the health service more quickly and receive more of their healthcare needs much closer to home.

Those patients who do need emergency or more complex care, continuous medical supervision and immediate access to critical care should be managed in one hospital responsible for complex acute care.

Consultant outreach teams will participate in the delivery of less complex acute care throughout the region in local hospitals and Primary Care Centres as they are developed.

This approach will provide a much better fit between people's healthcare needs, the skills of our health professionals and the most modern advances in healthcare delivery. It will also promote greater accountability, transparency and value for money.

Professor John Higgins was appointed by HSE CEO Professor Brendan Drumm, in March 2009 to lead the implementation of a comprehensive reconfiguration plan for Cork and Kerry that will be grounded by the principles set out in the Teamwork Report.

"Since my appointment, and in advance of the publication of the Report, I have spent the last two months meeting with and listening to the views of public representatives, patient advocacy groups, general practitioners, hospital management and medical boards, hospital interest groups, clinicians and HSE staff on all levels of the organisation and will continue on a regular basis as the project proceeds and changes are introduced," said Professor Higgins.

"Recent times have seen huge improvements in diagnostics, drug therapies and day surgery procedures and we must introduce these services throughout the region. This will involve innovative service delivery in our smaller hospitals in cooperation with GP's and Primary Care Teams in their catchment areas."

"No hospital in the region will close but all hospitals will fundamentally change how and what services are delivered to their community."

"Bantry Hospital provides a crucial service to a remote, rural population. We support the continuation of acute medical care in Bantry, but it must be appropriately integrated into the wider hospital services of Cork and Kerry."

"Mallow hospital already has high levels of clinical activity and strong links with the three Cork City hospitals. We see Mallow Hospital continuing to provide a key service to the populations of North Cork and Cork City."

"Kerry presents specific demographic and geographic challenges in delivering safe health care and in particular, an undertaking is given with regard to Kerry General Hospital that all the current acute services will be retained (this includes Emergency Departments, Obstetric Services, Intensive Care, Acute Surgery and Acute Medicine)."

"The three Cork City Hospitals (Cork University Hospital, Mercy University Hospital, and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital) are already working closely together in many clinical areas. By setting up single clinical teams in specialties such as medicine, surgery or anaesthetics we can reduce unnecessary duplication. This frees up both financial and human resources to deliver specialist services in our local hospitals and in the community."

"We can and must deliver more patient services with our current budget."

"We have staff with tremendous skills and experience working in Cork and Kerry, some of whom have worked in the most respected health care systems in the world, specialising as experts in their field. We will draw on their expertise and the input of patients and all interested parties to work out the detail of the useful direction that the Teamwork Report provides," said Professor Higgins.

A Reconfiguration Forum has already been established comprising representatives from General Practice, community health services and all the acute hospitals in Cork and Kerry and this group has already set up a number of subgroups to study specific issues. One of these is working with the ambulance service, emergency medicine consultants, GPs and other interested parties to improve the emergency services in the region. The Reconfiguration Forum will assist Professor John Higgins and the HSE on how and to what extent the recommendations of the Teamwork Report will be implemented.

"The link between the health service and the education sector is a key recommendation of the Report and will be an important driver of change. Our universities and institutes of technology are great networkers and innovators: they are both initiators and critics of new knowledge. They provide opportunities for clinical researchers and practitioners to meet and discuss new ways of doing things. They educate future generations of health professionals."

"We believe we can build an alliance that will empower and liberate our health services while at the same time challenge and motivate our institutions of higher education and research in a relationship that will greatly benefit all the people of Cork and Kerry,"

"We will need to explore new governance models that create a sense of regional ownership of the service in all its parts, a sense of shared responsibility among all those who use and run the service. We must also strive to ensure the highest standards of service, quality and integrity. New governance will include the educational institutions and provide for external scrutiny and audit" said Professor Higgins.

"The people of Cork and Kerry should be given access to better and improved primary, community and continuing care services, which will reduce the numbers of unnecessary acute hospital admissions. Integration with pre-hospital care, hospital care and community health services will hugely influence the success of reconfiguration in Cork and Kerry," said Mr. Pat Healy, Assistant National Director for Primary, Community and Continuing Care, HSE South.

"We know the organisation of our system can be improved," added Mr. Gerry O'Dwyer, Network Manager for the Southern Hospitals Group. "For instance, patients should not have to give their health history to several different health professionals in the course of their care, both in community health settings and in our hospitals. There should be a single patient number, making access to records easier."

Over the summer months, the Reconfiguration Forum will draw up a comprehensive implementation plan that will bring the various strands together.

"People don't just want a safe health service; they want a great health service that really works for them. We want the public to judge us on our actions and not our promises. We want to keep as many services as possible local. No service will be changed before a better service which has been tested and retested is put in place," said Professor Higgins.

Ends.


*****